What is Fitts's Law?

Fitts's Law is a predictive model that describes the relationship between the size of a target and the distance to that target, which in turn affects the time required to select it. This principle is widely used in user interface design to optimize the layout of controls and buttons.

When to use Fitts's Law?

Fitts's Law should be applied in situations where user interactions involve selecting targets, such as buttons, links, and other interactive elements. Understanding this law helps designers create interfaces that reduce selection time and improve overall user experience.

When not to use Fitts's Law?

Fitts's Law may not be applicable in contexts where target selection is not the primary interaction model, such as in complex gesture-based interfaces or when users are not focused on precision (e.g., scrolling or swiping actions).

What is the anatomy of Fitts's Law?

The anatomy of Fitts's Law includes two key components: target size and distance. Target size refers to the dimensions of the interactive element, while distance measures how far the user must move their input device (like a mouse or finger) to reach the target. The law quantifies how these factors influence the time taken to make a selection.